History

the need for structure for transitioning dancers

Joysanne Sidimus

Founder Joysanne Sidimus

 +  Bio

When DTRC Founder Joysanne Sidimus began researching her book Exchanges: Life After Dance, no structure existed in North America to deal with the near crisis issue of transition after a career in professional dance performance.

But, by 1983, two government-commissioned reports established a pressing need for Canadian transition support services that would respond to the needs of the professional dance community over time.

Leading the DTRC

After nine months of joint research with the Dance In Canada Association and the Canadian Association of Professional Dance Organizations, the Dancer Transition Centre (later renamed Dancer Transition Resource Centre), was incorporated on March 20th, 1985 and opened on September 1st of that yearwith Joysanne as Executive Director and Karen Kain as President..

Joysanne Sidimus led the DTRC until her retirement in 2005, when former professional dancer and actress Amanda Hancox took the helm. Amanda retired in 2019.

Joysanne Sidimus and Amanda Hancox

Karen Kain

Commitment to Dancers

Founded in 1985, the Dancer Transition Resource Centre (DTRC) is a national, charitable organization dedicated to helping dancers make necessary transitions into, within, and from professional performing careers.

We also operate as a resource centre for the dance community and general public and support activities that improve the socioeconomic conditions of artists across the country.

As a world leader in dancer transition, we are active participants in international conferences and research initiatives and help drive change within the dance community.

A native of New York City, Joysanne Sidimus M.S.M. attended Barnard College where she studied Comparative Religion before joining the New York City Ballet. She subsequently performed as a soloist with London’s Festival Ballet and as a Principal Dancer with the Pennsylvania Ballet and The National Ballet of Canada.

After performing she taught extensively and, for the last 35 years, has been a Balanchine reptetiteur, most notably with the National Ballet of Canada and internationally. In addition to her work as a repetiteur, Ms. Sidimus is the founder of the Dancer Transition Resource Centre and was Executive Director for 20 years. She has written two books, served on numerous advisory committees and was the founding Vice-President of the Board of Directors of the Artists’ Health Centre Foundation (now the Artists’ Health Alliance).

Ms. Sidimus is the recipient of many awards and honours, including the Governor General’s Meritorious Service Medal for making a significant contribution to the cultural life of Canada in founding the Dancer Transition Resource Centre. As well, Ms. Sidimus was a recipient of the 2006 Governor General’s Performing Arts Award for Life-time Achievement.

National Office

The Lynda Hamilton Centre
Suite 303
1000 Yonge Street
Toronto, ON M4W 2K2

Phone: 416-595-5655

nationaloffice@dtrc.ca

Office Hours:
Monday to Friday
– 10am to 5pm

*Wheelchair accessible

Quebec Office

5584 chemin de la Cote-de-Liesse Mont-Royal
Montreal, QC
H4P 1A9

bureauqc@crtd.ca

The Quebec Office is open on a part-time basis, according to a variable schedule. Please email the office to book an appointment.

BC Office

The BC office runs as a virtual office and is open on a part-time basis, according to a variable schedule.

bcoffice@dtrc.ca

Regional Reps

British Columbia
Jessica Mckeown
bcrep@dtrc.ca

Alberta
Paige Wichers
abrep@dtrc.ca

Manitoba
Eugene “GeNie” Baffoe
mbrep@dtrc.ca

Atlantic
Sydney Ewert
atlanticrep@dtrc.ca

Toll-free: 1-800-667-0851

Territory Acknowledgment

We acknowledge the lands, waterways, languages, and Indigenous peoples of Turtle Island – First Nations, Inuit and Métis – who have been living on these lands since time immemorial. As we carry out our work, digitally and in person across many distinct territories, we offer our recognition and respect to all the peoples and places that are connected through our engagement together. We, at the Dancer Transition Resource Centre, commit to the ongoing work and learning required of all of us to address past and persistent harms. We continue to deepen our understanding and we welcome dialogue as we strive to move into better relations with Indigenous peoples and with the land.